subject: Save Money on Entertainment Expenses by Inviting Friends over for a Dessert Bar [print this page] Author: Linda Wilson Author: Linda Wilson
If you are staying home more to cut back on expenses, you don't have to give up having fun with friends. Invite your friends over for a dessert bar. Try these recipes to impress your friends; Lemony Cheesecake Bars, Chopped Apple Pecan Pie, and Honey Brownies. Set out a supply of assorted Hot Chocolate Mixes, Make a Pot of Coffee, and offer assorted flavored teas. Rent a movie or bring out a deck of cards. Inexpensive and fun. Share leftovers with your friends or freeze for desserts later over the next couple of weeks. LEMONY CHEESECAKE BARS
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup finely chopped nuts
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
2 pkgs (8-oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup lemon juice Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, nuts, sugar, and melted butter; mix well. Reserve 1/3 cup; set aside. Press the remaining mixture onto the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake at 325 minutes for 6 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually beat in the sweetened condensed milk. Add the eggs and beat just until combined. Stir in the lemon juice. Spoon the mixture over the baked crust. Spoon the reserved crumb mixture over the top of the filling. Bake about 30 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for an hour then store in refrigerator. Cut into 24 bars to serve. CHOPPED APPLE PECAN PIE
1 unbaked pie shell
2 cups chopped apples
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp cornstarch
3 drops almond flavoring
1 cup sugar (Splenda Granular for diabetics)
pinch of salt
1/2 cup pecan pieces
butter In a medium bowl, combine the sugar (or Splenda), apples, and salt; set aside for about 1 hour allowing the mixture to form a thick juice. Stir 3 to 4 times during this hour. Into the apple mixture, mix in cinnamon, cornstarch, and almond flavoring. Stir to mix well then pour the mixture into the unbaked pie shell. Cut thin pats of butter and scatter over the top of the mixture. Top the butter with the pecan pieces. Bake at 450 degrees for about 15 minutes, reduce the temperature to 300 degrees and bake for another 45 minutes. HONEY BROWNIES
1/2 cup butter
4-oz unsweetened baking chocolate
2/3 cups honey
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
Dash of salt 1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional
Powdered sugar, optional Melt butter and chocolate; stir in honey, egg, and vanilla; beat until well mixed. Combine flour, cinnamon, soda, and salt; mix well. Add to honey mixture; stir in nuts, if using. Pour into a 9-inch square baking pan that has been sprayed lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. It is important not to overbake! To serve, cut into squares when cooled. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. Enjoy!About the Author:
